MMA star Simeon Powell ready to put friendships aside as he enters PFL’s eight-man $100,000 winner-takes-all season
SIMEON POWELL is ready to put friendships aside when he enters the Professional Fighters League’s winner-take-all season.
Powell is signed to the American MMA promotion, where contenders have two qualifying bouts, with points earned per method of victory.
The top four in each weight then progress to the knockout stages, setting up a grand finale where $1m (£820,000) and a championship belt awaits.
And now PFL have now launched a Europe season, following a similar format, instead only with one group stage fight.
But it instead offers $100,000 (£85k), a title and the chance to enter their global $1m-winning league.
Powell is among the eight light-heavyweights and is prepared to come up against some familiar faces – leaving friendships when the cage door shuts.
He told SunSport: “Whoever they bring, it doesn’t matter.
“With the hundred grand on the line and the belt, it’s business at this point.”
The PFL are hoping to attack the European market and do so with four fight dates spread out across the year.
The Euro season begins on Saturday in Newcastle, with Powell facing Mohamed Amine, before heading to Berlin on July 8.
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That concludes the qualifying stages, as Paris hosts the play-off on September 30 and Dublin marks the final on Friday, December 8.
Powell, who is 2-0 with PFL, said: “It’s very exciting, there’s a lot of talent in Europe and it’s given us a platform to show the world what we’re about.
“I’m taking this very seriously, I’m looking at this as a stepping stone to the world stage. This is a big opportunity and I’m going for it.
“This is all I’ve been preparing for over the last couple of years and I’m ready.”
“I don’t really feel the pressure because I work hard and do everything I need to do, so there is no pressure.
“I know I’m the best light-heavyweight in Europe and I just need to go out there and prove it.”